Why Famous:Previously serving as Secretary of State under Thomas Jefferson, Madison succeeded his boss as President in 1809. he is known commonly as the "Father of the Constitution" for playing a crucial role in the drafting of the US Constitution and author of the US Bill of Rights.

Madison was one of the leaders of the movement to ratify the Constitution, and his work with John Jay and Alexander Hamilton produced The Federalist Papers, which stands as one of the most significant works in support of the Constitution.

As Secretary of State he presided over the Louisiana Purchase which doubled the size of the United States. A popular president with historians, Madison's term in office saw growing prosperity for several years. The War of 1812 occurred during his presidency and was a stalemate; it helped to change his opinion on a national bank and a strong central government, which he came to support.